An Analysis of Loyalty in Greek Dramas



Murder, corruption in government, religious zealotry, and revenge of scorned lovers are

themes that run rampant through many Greek dramas. However, in the plays Medea, written by

Euripides, and Antigone, written by Sophocles, such themes reach an almost unprecedented

levels. The plays follow women driven to extremes by what she feels is great injustice. The two

women, after whom the plays are named after, fight against the offense and demand respect from

the men they deal with. Antigone stands with her sister, Ismene, against Creon in defense of

giving a proper burial to her slain brother. Medea extracts a horrible revenge against her

husband, Jason, whom has left her for another woman. With all the similarities between the

dramas, there is still one overwhelming theme which surpasses all others; loyalty. The loyalty

depicted is most apparent with the characters' ties to his/her family and gender.

For the plays, loyalty to one's family is more than simply familial pride. When Antigone

first faces Creon, she is questioned as to why she disobeyed a creed set forth by the government;

Antigone responds by saying, "It is no shame to pay respect to own flesh and blood" (Sophocles

20). Her response clearly demonstrates the allegiance she feels toward her brother. She further

demonstrates this when she states, "It was no bondman perished, but a brother" (Sophocles 20).

Even in the face of a great authority and with the threat of being exiled or death held over her,

Antigone never questions what she has done to honor her brother. The family fidelity goes

beyond just the brother/sister relationship when Ismene decides to stand beside her sister in

punishment. Though Antigone protests, Ismene attempts to share blame for the burial. To her

there is no life without her sister which she clearly expresses in "How could I live on alone,

without my sister?" (Sophocles 22). Ultimately, it is realized that Ismene did not take part in the

act, the brave support she shows for her sister is truly admirable. Within Medea, Jason attempts

to do what he feels is right for his family. He even tries to justify marrying another woman for

the family's own sake (Euripides 18). When it becomes clear that Medea and her children will

be exiled, Jason swears that he will not abandon them; "I call the gods to witness that I wish to

help you and the children in every way" (Euripides 20). Despite a situation filled with animosity,

Jason does strive to make the best of the situation at hand. As the play progresses, he discovers

that Medea has murdered his new wife and father. Jason immediately goes to save his children

from the retribution he fears will take place; "So I have come to save the lives of my boys, in

case the royal house harm them while taking vengeance for their mother's wicked deed"

(Euripides 42). Regardless of how it will look publicly coming to the defense of the

unintentional murderers, Jason will not let his loyalty to his children be swayed. Upon learning

that his children too have died, he becomes enraged. Jason confronts Medea, whom he feels is

responsible for his children's death; "How you have killed my boys and prevent me from

touching their bodies or giving them burial" (Euripides 46). His grievance is deep, because not

only have many of his loved ones been murdered, but also, he does not understand the injustice

put upon him. The idea that a mother would betray her own children for an act of revenge seems

unfathomable mainly due to the strong familial loyalties he holds. The lack of allegiance to her

kin is one of the first signs of Medea's ill character. In an act of retaliation, Medea decides to use

her sons in a scheme to kill Jason's new wife. While alone on stage, she announces her plan that

she claims fills her with sorrow; "I weep to think of what a deed I have to do next after that; for I

shall kill my own children" (Euripides 26). The fashion in which she disregards her children is

not the first time, however, that she commits a treacherous endeavor against family members.

Before the play begins, Medea has already killed her brother and abandoned the house of her

father which she shamefully admits to with the following: "Oh, my father! Oh, my country! In

what dishonor I left you, killing my own brother for it" (Euripides 6). Jason uses this knowledge

as further proof to him that she is evil. Her lack of faithfulness to her family is considered to be

worst part of all the deeds she commits. The characters all hold loyalty to his/her family to be

significantly important.

Throughout the play, it becomes overt that the characters feel loyal to his/her gender.

When Creon is told of that burial rites have been performed after he has forbid it, he assumes a

man has done it;